trinity church, 12 noon, sunday june 17 1962 wesley ... historical... · wesley historical society...

The Story of the First Methodist Church in Dunedin by A. R. Brown

Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication #17(1-3)

Trinity Church, 12 noon, Sunday June 17th 1962



THE STORY OF THE FIRST METHODIST

CHURCH IN DUNEDIN

In the Jubilee Booklet of 1912 Mr A. Beck recollected the work of our first minister in

Dunedin, Rev. Isaac Harding. He wrote, "We did not have him to ourselves in

Dunedin. We thought we were much neglected, for he rode all over the goldfields

preaching and starting services."

This typifies the place that Trinity Church has always held in Otago Methodism. The

Circuit has always been willing to branch out and, when a new cause was established,

has given its children their freedom.

One hundred years ago the first Methodist minister resident in Dunedin preached in

the first Methodist Church in Dunedin. The date was July 14, 1862, the minister was

the Rev. Isaac Harding, and the church was in Dowling Street, on the section now 16

and 18 Tennyson Street, up the steps.

The first Methodist minister in Otago was the Rev. James Watkin. He landed at

Waikouaiti twenty-two years before the Dowling Street church was built. There was a

whaling station at Waikouaiti owned by Mr John Jones. Mr Jones made

representations in Sydney and this led to the choice of his station for the first mission

in Otago.

Rev. James Watkin

On Sunday, May 17, Mr Watkin preached his first sermon. It was from the text, "It is

a faithful saying . . ." It was not until two and a half years later that any other Church

visited the province.



The Mission did not get a very good start at Waikouaiti. "Johnny" Jones provided a

free passage and a large contribution towards a small house. This investment would be

well repaid with the trade drawn to his store, since people came to the Mission from as

far away as Bluff.

Rev. Charles Creed

On April 20, 1844, the "Deborah" arrived at Moeraki. She brought Mr Watkin's

successor, the Rev. Charles Creed. Mr Watkin greeted his replacement with,

"Welcome, Brother Creed, to purgatory."

The "Deborah" was under charter to Frederick Tuckett, who surveyed the area south

to the mouth of the Clutha and chose the site for Dunedin. In the early days of the new

colony Mr Creed conducted services for the benefit of those who did not attend Dr

Burns' church.

In 1849 Captain Cargill wrote to Mr Creed that as he had good ground to resent the

Anglican intrusion into his mission, so the Free Church had good ground to object to

his visits to Dunedin, and he suggested that it was Mr Creed's duty to his mission and

to Mr John Jones to stay at Waikouaiti. Mr Creed published this letter, with an

effective reply (Feb. 7). His charge was not at Waikouaiti, but extended from Banks

Peninsula to the Bluff. He had always ministered to Europeans who desired his

services, and was instructed to do so. He was often in Dunedin before the colony

arrived, and went now on the invitation of a large number. As to Mr Jones, he made

promises at first which he has partially redeemed, but he has not given us a site; he

charges us full rates for freight and passage, and has long since entirely broken with

the mission. The mission, on the other hand, buys everything at Jones's store, conducts



gratuitous services at his station, and puts up with "his moral influence, which is

strenuously opposed to the Gospel."

On the appointment of the Rev. Mr Fenton (Anglican), Mr Creed's visits to Dunedin

became less frequent.

When the "John Wickliffe" sailed, two Methodists were on board who conducted a

Sunday School on the voyage. They were Thomas Ferens and W. H. Manson. Mr

Ferens was the first local preacher in Otago. He was also the first to preach at Halfway

Bush and on the Peninsula.

Mr Ferens spent a year at Waikouaiti as schoolmaster. His preaching and evangelistic

work led to eleven conversions among the settlers there; but Johnny Jones had no use

for people who would not work on Sunday, and the converts were scattered.

Finally Mr Ferens went to Oamaru, where he was prominent in the founding of the

church. He was an early Circuit Steward of the Otago Circuit and came to Quarterly

Meetings even though there were almost no roads. He continued to serve God in

Oamaru until his death in 1888.

Mr. Thomas Ferens

The Rev. William Kirk succeeded Mr Creed at Waikouaiti. He frequently visited Port

Chalmers and took services in the empty Presbyterian church. Mr Logie, collector of

customs, filled in the intervals reading Wesley's sermons. Then Mr William Morris, a

local preacher, arrived, and they had two services a Sunday. After a time they

determined to have a church, and Mr Mansford and a few others gave the present site.

The building cost £97, and the collections on the day Mr Kirk opened it, October 21.

1855, were £6 7s 11d.



This little church was used as a Sunday School; the Anglican minister, Mr Fenton,

conducted services there; and the Magistrate's Court was also held there.

In 1856 Rev. G. Stannard succeeded Mr Kirk; he moved the mission to Port Chalmers.

which was a more suitable place at that time. When a Presbyterian minister was

appointed to the Port in 1858, he recommended his people to join the new

congregation. There was no reciprocal membership then. Mr Stannard moved to the

Heads in order to concentrate on the work among the Maori people.

The Maori population was small and in 1859 the mission authorities removed Mr

Stannard and left a Native minister, Te Kote, in charge.

At this time the work among Methodist people in Dunedin was continued by local

preachers. When Mr Stannard moved to the Heads he arranged for the five local

preachers in Dunedin to take the services at both Port Chalmers and Dunedin. The five

were Messrs Wright, Pow, Duke, Morris and Hammond.

The Dunedin service was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, said Mr A. Beck, a building

about 20 feet by 12 feet, near where the A.M.P. Buildings stand. The Baptists had

rented it, but sub-let it to the Wesleyans. The service was not very successful. It was

shifted to the corner of High Street and Manse Street. The migration of the local

preachers to Sawyers Bay seems to have stopped the Dunedin service for some time.

In June, 1861, however, gold was discovered in Gabriels Gully, and population began

to flow in.

A number of preachers helped with services in Dunedin for a while before moving up-

country. As the rush increased, crowds arrived from Australia, and among them

Methodists and Methodist local preachers.

It appears that Mr T. R. Fisher had written to the Rev. J. Buller in Christchurch about

appointing a minister, and Mr Beck had also written to Melbourne. But events moved

swiftly and everyone saw that Otago could not be neglected.

In January, 1862, the Rev. James Buller, of Christchurch, visited Otago, and spent

several weeks in a flying survey. He visited the goldfields and started services. In the

"Otago Colonist", dated January 21, appeared an advertisement calling a meeting of

Wesleyans in the Court House for January 29, to meet Mr Buller and undertake a

church.

Mr Buller stated that Mr E. Lee, of West Taieri, had given a site on Bell Hill—a

disastrous gift—and that a minister, Mr Harding would arrive from Auckland in six

weeks. During the visit Mr Buller lectured on "The Maoris" for the Y.M.C.A., and

preached in halls and in Knox Church. He says he was the first to visit Invercargill and

establish a cause there.



On March 4 the "Colonist" announced that Mr Harding was expected by the March

steamer and that £700 had been collected for the church. On the 13th it reports that the

Wesleyans are holding services in the Athenaeum, and that a handsome design has

been accepted for a church to cost £1,200. A fortnight later we are informed that the

Rev. I. and Mrs Harding and family arrived in Dunedin per S.S.”Airedale", on March

18.

On March 22 appears the following advertisement:—

"The Rev. I. Harding, Wesleyan minister, will preach at the Athenaeum on

Sabbath at 11 and 6. N.B.—Residence, Elm Row, Dunedin. Communications can

be left with Messrs Fisher and Green, Princes Street."

About this time a canvas church was erected about the top of Walker Street. On May

10 we learn that a tea meeting is to be held on Easter Monday, 12 inst. On the 13th we

find a promise of the eloquent speeches of last night in the next issue. On May 15 we

have the report. The tea was held in Dr Burns's church, and the crowd had to be taken

in relays.

The chair was taken by Dr Burns. He expressed his unfeigned joy and thankfulness at

the founding of the Wesleyan Church in Otago, and the advent of a suitable staff of

ministers to assist in meeting the spiritual needs of the vast tide of population that for

the past 10 months had been rolling in on these shores. The gold fever had brought the

deluge upon them, and they were in utter dismay. A stupendous task, far beyond their

uttermost strength, had risen before them as in one day. Every friend of the colony

would rejoice that among the influx there was a goodly proportion of Christian men,

loving Christ and His cause. He remembered that at the time of the disruption the Free

Church had received "kind sympathy and liberal help" from the Wesleyans. These

were things not easily forgotten, and after nineteen years it gave him pleasure to

acknowledge them at the antipodes. (Loud cheers.)

Mr Harnett said that the committee appointed to the meeting held by Mr Buller had

obtained gifts and promises amounting to £500 in two weeks, and had accepted a

tender of £1,330. Last week the ladies had raised £165. (Cheers.). There remained

£765 to be raised.

Other speakers included the Revs. Isaac Harding and D. M. Stuart and a Mr Neils, a

gentlemen from the diggings who was much cheered on rising. They wanted help on

the diggings. They did not want money—they had plenty—but they wanted ministers

to tell men there was something more precious than gold.

The church was opened on July 14, 1862, the Rev. D. M. Stuart preaching in the

morning, Dr Burns in the afternoon, and Mr Harding at night. The congregations were

very large, and the collections totalled £61 7s 2d.



The "Colonist" in describing the church (July 16, 1862) said:

"The Wesleyan chapel is a building of that peculiar neatness of design which

would have filled the hearts of the Pilgrim Fathers with delight. It is of a quasi-

Gothic order, with all the elegance of the Renaissance style without its florid

ornament. The interior is in keeping with the exterior, affording a nave with two

aisles, crowned with a chancel containing the reading desk. It is lighted with

lamps affixed to the arches of the aisles. The windows are disposed in form and

position to a subdued but mellow light."

A transept was later added for support.

The Bell Hill Church. The transept in the foreground was added as support.

Within three months the church was wrecked. The structure was quite unequal to

carrying a high slate roof in a very windy situation. Even in moderate winds it

creaked, and the lamps swung and broke their glasses. A very fierce and destructive

gale in the first week of October put the church out of plumb and broke its back, and

again services reverted to the courthouse.

Three months later, January 5, 1863, at a congregational tea attended by 100 people,

Mr Cooke explained that the church cost £1,382, of which £580 was debt. The repairs

cost £1,100, of which £678 was raised, leaving a debt of £1,002.

At the first anniversary, after the usual tea, it was announced that the Sunday

collections had been £15, gifts received by Mr Harding £51, sale of tickets £45,

making £111. The church and the parsonage had cost £3,000, and the debt remaining

was £900.



Rev. Isaac Harding

The debt that Dunedin Methodism owes to its first minister is enormous. The

Reverend Isaac Harding was described by the Rev. W. C. Oliver as "a born bishop." A

man of fine presence, he was a very good preacher, an excellent companion and an

indomitable traveller. He journeyed to Oamaru, Invercargill, Queenstown and to

wherever men rushed for gold. "He wants to be minister of the whole of Otago,"

grumbled one Dunedin man. "We were badly neglected when he got out among the

diggers," says another.

Mr Harding writes whimsically to his successor, "The church owes me £130 for four

horses. One died, one strayed, one was stolen, and the other I sold—and didn't get

paid for."His" Plan of the Otago and Southland Circuit "is itself a monument to the

man. It lists twenty-three places covering all of the province.

He had a Home Mission Committee in Dunedin, and in spite of all his troubles found

money to send up-country. On October 13, 1863, we find a press report of the meeting

of the committee. The missionary and the people at Arrow have suffered by floods;

£50 was voted in aid. Dunstan asks for a preacher. Mr Whiting is appointed to go up

through Tuapeka. There are other calls and more money must be got to meet them.

From the beginning of his ministry, Mr Harding had been accustomed to difficulties.

He was the pioneer minister at Alton in Hampshire. On his arrival he preached in the

open air and stones were thrown at him.



Mr Henry Bloxam, a local preacher of Harding's day, records, "Travelling at that time

was far from enticing. Coming from Queenstown to Alexandra, Rev. Mr Harding had

to stop at a shanty at the foot of the hill near the Roaring Meg (a river by that name).

He asked for a bed and accommodation for the night. The man told him he had no

accommodation, but pointed to a bunk and a few sacks to cover him, and very

considerately offered him a two gallon keg for a pillow. He declined the keg,

preferring to use his boots. There was no other place for miles, so he had no

alternative. Two days before I arrived at Alexandra, December, 1862, Mr Harding had

made an attempt to hold a preaching service. He was near the Aldinga Hotel. They

rolled a barrel for him to stand upon, and a considerable number gathered round, but

while he was speaking, the interruptions, though friendly, were very disturbing. One

asked him to wet his whistle, and others pressed him to have a drink. Seeing it was

like casting pearls before swine, he got on his horse and rode to Hyde.

The best appreciation of Mr Harding's character comes from a letter written fifty years

after his work here by one of his successors, the Rev. W. C. Oliver.

"On November 1, 1863, I heard Mr Harding preach in Oamaru. This was the

only time I saw Mr Harding, but as I visited Dunedin during the year, and was

appointed to the circuit three years later, I had ample opportunities of forming an

estimate of the man and the work he did in Otago. He was a born bishop, and

inspired men by his personality and Christian zeal. He made his influence felt

from Oamaru to the Bluff. Possessed of great physical endurance, and a splendid

horseman, he ranged over the whole province, forming the nucleus of churches

in every available centre. This was the period of the Otago goldfields rush. As he

had served in circuits in Victoria, he knew many of the miners who flocked to

our goldfields, and amongst them he started services in Tuapeka, Queenstown

and other centres, also securing large subscriptions from the miners towards the

building of the Dunedin church, which was erected in Dowling Street. One of the

weaknesses of our itinerant system resulted in his removal at the end of two

years, when his work was but partly completed. Our Otago church has never

recovered the loss. All men are not bishops, however good they may be, and

when one is a bishop and doing splendid work his removal to another sphere,

where his gifts find little scope, is a calamity, if not an ecclesiastical blunder or

sin."

In 1867 a remarkable revival took place in Broad Bay. It swept up and down the

Peninsula, leaving few homes unvisited, crossed to the other side of the harbour,

securing many converts, and then to Waitati, where there were some forty converted.

One week evening Rev. W. C. Oliver preached on "Is there no balm in Gilead?" The

Spirit came down on the congregation, and seven persons were converted during the

sermon. The revival was contagious, and went from house to house all over the place.



In 1870, a new church was built at a cost of £5,000. This was Trinity Church. Only

£490 remained from the sale of the old Bell Hill Church and £2,000 had been raised

by subscriptions, bazaar (£875) and soirees, and the opening produced £100. This left

a debt of £2,410, which at 8 per cent.—the rate of interest paid—meant £192 16s a

year. This heavy interest, the gallery required for acoustic purposes and the organ, and

the fall off in gold returns, prevented any serious attack on the mortgage for some

years. The debt was finally extinguished in 1905.

An early picture of Trinity

On August 25, 1869, the foundation stone was laid by Rev. Thomas Buddle. At the

ceremony, the Rev. Mr Williams (Baptist) engaged in prayer, and the Rev. A. R.

Fitchett read Chron. xxvii and I Cor. iii, 9. He then read the following, which was

afterwards placed in a glass jar in a cavity in the stone:—

"In the year of our Lord 1869, 31st of Queen Victoria, Sir G. Bowen being

Governor, and His Honor James MacAndrew Superintendent of Otago, this stone

was laid by Rev. Thomas Buddle, Chairman of the Southern District of New

Zealand, Rev. W. L. Binks being President, the Rev. Alfred Robertson Fitchett,

Superintendent Minister of Dunedin Circuit, and the Revs. H. Bull and D.

McNicholl his colleagues in the circuit, Messrs George Hindle and Charles Duke

being Circuit Stewards. The Trustees are Messrs Daniel Haynes, W. H. Walker,

G. Howell, G. Hindle, T. Ferens, D. Roberts, H. J. Chapman, Albert Beck, and E.

W. U'Ren. The architect is Mr R. A. Lawson, and the contractor E. W. U'Ren,

the amount of the contract as signed for on June 7, 1869, being £2,475."



At about this time a property was bought from Mr Moss for £1,250. This was a

triangle bounded by Stuart Street, Smith Street and York Place. It is described by the

Jubilee Brochure as "The only wise and far-sighted transaction in the history of the

church."

That publication continues,

“If it could have been retained, it would have covered some errors and prevented

others. But it was bought on credit, and when the old parsonage failed to let

readily, the trustees sold the triangle in panic for what it cost them. The Revs. A.

Reid and C. W. Rigg lived in the old house. When Mr Fitchett returned to the

circuit a house was bought in Castle Street. It is now part of Selwyn College. The

purchase was a bad one, and the distance was far too great. The Revs. Fitchett, J.

Crump, and E. Best lived there. During the ministry of the Rev. J. Berry a site in

York Place opposite the end of Tennyson Street was bought, and a large house

built thereon, wholly marred in the design, however, by building into it a two-

roomed cottage that stood on the ground. Dr Morley said the cost was £1,600.

That Methodism survives its property transactions says much for its vitality,

while the evident want of continuity of purpose illustrates the fearful cost of the

itinerancy."

The years 1879 to 1882 are typical of the vitality shown by Trinity at its best; 1879

saw the start of both the annual carol service and the envelope system. In 1881 it was

decided to make a special effort to reduce the church's debt. And in 1882 the Opoho

church was removed to Cargill Road and the work much advanced there.

The Opoho church had been built in 1877, but by 1882 most of the Methodists in the

area had removed, and the church itself was taken to a site in Cargill Road. This site

cost £300 and the cost of removal was a further £200.

On February 24, 1881, the trustees issued a circular as follows:—

"STATEMENT OF LIABILITES.

Mortgage on Church . . . £2,000

Bonds on Parsonage . . . 1,150

Building Society on Manse

(to be liquidated by quarterly

redemption payments) .... 270

Circuit Debt ..... 65

£3,485

"Dear Sir,

At a recent meeting of the Finance Committee it was agreed that the present was a

favourable time for endeavouring to pay off part of the above indebtedness, and thus

relieve the Quarter Board of the heavy demand annually made upon it for interest,



and it was decided that the liability first to be reduced should be that upon the Bonds

against the Parsonage—say £1,200.

"To liquidate this amount two alternative methods are proposed.

"THE FIRST PROPOSAL IS:—That the amount required to pay off the Bonds, say

£1,200, be divided into 1,200 Shares of £1 each without interest. That the members

and friends of the Congregation be asked each to take as many Shares (one or more)

as they feel themselves able to subscribe for, and that the interest which the Quarter

Board now has to be paid on that amount—viz., £69, and which would thus be

saved, shall be distributed annually by lot in reduction of these shares.

"By this means our indebtedness would be reduced say £100 per annum without any

other effort. It would, however, take twelve years to pay off the amount of twelve

hundred pounds and the Mortgage on the Church would remain untouched.

"THE SECOND PROPOSAL IS:—That the sum of £1,200 be raised and paid off by

subscription, etc.

"If this plan is adopted, one gentleman has generously promised to give £400 upon

the other £800 being raised, or to supplement in like proportion whatever sum below

that we may be able to raise.

"The committee feel that a determined effort should be made to carry out this plan,

so as to secure the promised donation, and have this indebtedness finally disposed of.

"The interest we are now paying could, instead of going to reduce the Bonds as in

scheme 1. be placed to a special 'Sinking Fund,' which would in the course of about

thirteen years pay off the mortgage on the church, and so leave all our properties

entirely unencumbered.

" With a view to discussing these proposals, and the matter in all its bearings, a

meeting of the Congregation will be held at an early date, to which you are earnestly

and cordially invited."

The generous gentleman was Mr D. Haynes, whose offer was taken up and fully met.

Many groups held special func-tions to assist in this great effort. The Young Ladies'

Gift Sale raised £39 10s. A concert a further £17. By the time the appeal was closed in

May, 1882, the sums given or promised had passed the target by £15.

During the last decade of the nineteenth century, New Zealand Methodism's growth

was greater than that of any other denomination, and far greater than the growth of the

population. This period—and the correlation is obvious—is also notable for the

number of Evangelistic Missions held.

One outstanding Mission was that of Thomas Cooke in March of 1894. The Garrison

Hall—now the N.Z.B.C.'s new Television Studios—held two thousand people. It was

used as the Central Mission by Rev. Mr Ready of the Bible Christians. With his co-

operation it was hired for Mr Cooke's Mission.



The cost of hire, which excluded cost of gas, was six pounds a night. A total of

seventeen thousand cards and bills were printed. Four church choirs combined to lead

the singing. There were five rooms set aside for enquirers and between twenty and

thirty people were on hand to help those who came forward.

But Missions are not peculiar to one denomination. Other Missions were held in the

city and Trinity was associated with the work of such preachers as Chapman, whose

lunch hour meetings aroused great enthusiasm in the town, Lionel Fletcher, and most

recently, Billy Graham.

This decade also saw the founding of the "Helping Hand" Mission which was run

from 1892 by a Miss Raeburn. This developed into the Bath Street Mission and

continued active for twenty years.

The premises in Bath Street were rented and a piano in-stalled. Both old and young

turned up to the services held there. Miss Raeburn was succeeded in this work by

Sister Isobel Sinclair until 1900. She was known to the young people as "Pussie."

Other deaconesses who worked at Bath Street were Sister Olive, who left to marry the

Rev. W. J. Williams, and her successor Sister Annie, who married the Rev. E. O.

Blamires. Mrs Williams now living in Melbourne is still keenly interested in Trinity.

Sister Olive Jeffries Sister Annie Anderson

The work at the Mission included keeping boys off the street and visiting the sick.

Particular attention was paid to relatives of those connected with the Mission.

Meetings and services were held in the Bath Street Mission on week nights and

Saturday nights. These were reinforced by young people from Trinity who went along



to help with the singing and to help keep order. Sister Olive had to pray with her eyes

open.

Sister Annie was also prominent in the battle by the churches to reduce the number of

hotel licences. At one stage in 1908 she was relieved of almost all other duties to

enable her to assist in the campaign on the "No Licence" issue.

At this time, Dunedin nearly went dry. The No-Licence vote increased by 3,000 and

reduction was carried. Twelve of 48 licences were withdrawn including all for bars

north of Albany Street. A tour through Dunedin hotels by A. H. Reed and Rev. E. 0.

Blamires played a part in raising the age limit from 18 to 21. Over 4,000 people turned

out one night when University students conducted three No-Licence meetings and

"raked the liquor selling fore and aft," says Mr Blamires.

When Sister Annie left, it was not possible to find a suitable replacement. The weather

during the winter and early spring of 1912 aggravated the difficulties and the Mission

was reluctantly closed.

In May, 1897. the Church Trustees discussed a very radical suggestion. This was that

the singing of "Amen" after the last hymn at the evening service be allowed. This was

recommended by the Leader's Meeting and agreed to by the trustees.

Later the choir desired that "Amen" be sung where desired at the end of any hymn. A

request to this effect came before the Trust in 1906. The matter was referred to a ballot

of seatholders and members. Two hundred and ninety seven papers were issued. On

hundred and forty eight voted for, and forty seven against. In view of that vote, the

trustees decided to allow the "Amens," voting fourteen to one. This was not the end of

the matter, because at least one member stayed away from church as a result of this

decision.

Mrs Gardiner, a Scots lady also disliked the sung Amen. She chose a less extreme way

of showing her displeasure. She sat down when the last verse ended and did not wait

for the Amen.

Mr Gardiner was leader of the Bible Classes and he and Mrs. Gardiner were noted for

the way they entertained the Bible Class young folk to Sunday tea between Sunday

School and the evening service. It seems that they scrimped themselves during the

week in order to be more hospitable on Sundays.

The appearance of Halley's Comet in 1910 caused great alarm among a wide section

of the population. Trinity's minister, Mr Fairclough, was a Fellow of the Royal

Astronomical Society. He lectured on the comet and wrote about it in the newspapers.

People feared that it would come too close to the earth, but Mr Fairclough was able to

reassure them. The Girl's Bible Class organised one of his lectures in the hall



underneath Trinity. There were no subdivisions at that stage and the place was packed

to the doors and overflowing. This all added to Trinity's impact on Dunedin.

Mr A. H. Reed was superintendent of Trinity Sunday School from 1900 to 1914, and

from 1922 to 1928. During this period he continually pressed for improved

accommodation for the school. At the time of the Jubilee, that is fifty years ago, an

effort was made to raise one thousand pounds for a new school. One thousand and

fifty pounds were collected.

The then Minister, Rev. P. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S.,

with the Circuit Stewards, Messrs W. H. Ferens and C. F. Oliver. 1912.

In August of 1912, two seven roomed houses in Stuart Street, opposite the church

were purchased for £1,250. From 1913 to 1917 these were leased by J. H. Kerr for £8

12s per annum. In 1917 various walls were removed, and many improvements

effected so that the houses could be used by the Sunday School Primary Department

and by the Bible Classes.

In 1924 a further effort to raise funds was decided upon. This was aimed at building a

new school on the Stuart Street site as a memorial to the Trinity men who died in the

First World War.

By 1929, £1,800 had been raised and plans obtained but it was finally decided not to

go ahead with the scheme. Instead, the hall under Trinity was sub-divided—much as it

is today— and the two houses sold for £1,400.



In May of 1921, Trinity Trust was threatened with litigation. A piece of masonry fell

from the church roof and injured the foot of Nancy Marr, a child who lived next door

to the church.

The matter was readily settled out of court. After the whole thing was settled Rev. H.

A. R. Pratt was instructed to visit the parents expressing sympathy of the Trust and

hope for the future welfare of the child. The Trust also decided to look into the state of

the church roof and the possibility of accident insurance.

During the years 1952 and 1953 extensive discussions took place between officials of

Trinity and officials of Central Mission with a view to amalgamating the two circuits.

In 1952 the new "Central Church and Mission" was born. Since that time it has been

impossible for the historian to say, "That was done by Trinity," or " That was done by

the Mission."

Early in 1954 the circuit took over the responsibility for the working of the Citizens'

Day Nursery. This continued in St George's Hall, Stuart Street until the building was

demolished. Demolition was necessary since only the borer holding hands were

keeping it up. The Nursery has since been housed under Trinity Church.

In 1955 a new cause was started in Waverley. This area is properly within the St Kilda

circuit, but the quarterly meeting there felt unable to undertake this extension.

Accordingly the amalgamated circuit took up the task that had so often been

characteristic of Trinity. Much of the pastoral work was undertaken by the deaconess,

Sister Dorothy Pointon, who also conducted the first church service there on Sunday,

August 25, 1957.

A church was opened at Waverley on October 8, 1961. Apart from the Union Church

at Corstorphine, it was over thirty years since a building had been erected in a new

area. Much voluntary labour went into the church, and the work had helped bring

closer the ties binding the new society to the circuit.

The church was opened by the vice-president of the conference, Mr H. de R. Flesher,

and dedicated by the chairman of the district. Rev. A. J. Johnston.



JOTTINGS

Many modern church necessities are really reoccurences of old ideas. There were

welcome stewards at the door of Trinity in 1890. And that modern aid to efficiency,

the church welcome card, was in use in 1895. Five thousand cost a guinea.

Nor are the films at the Teenage Programme novel. A lantern slide service was held at

Palichet Bay under the auspices of Trinity in 1895.

How was finance found in early days? Mr A. Beck said later, "At first we had only

monthly collections, but as the congregation was always coming and going we soon

adopted the Presbyterian plan of having the stewards stand at the door with the plate

every Sunday. All those disasters to our new church involved us in great losses and

financial anxiety, and prevented our getting out of debt."

It was in October, 1879, that the envelope system was first introduced at Trinity. It

was then on a three months trial basis. It proved successful enough to have been

continued since, although the church officials have always wished for a greater giving

through this system.

Even in 1888 members were being urged to give through the envelopes and to

increase their giving. At many times since similar appeals have been heard.

In 1895, Mr Cooke conducted a Mission and the Mornington Church happened to

refuse a debt of fifteen shillings that Trinity wished to enforce upon them. The

problem was neatly resolved when the treasurer deducted the amount from

Mornington's share of the Mission's surplus.

Trinity people have always been singing Methodists. At times there has even been a

band or an orchestra. The circuit owned band instruments in the eighteen-nineties and

early this century the Sunday School anniversaries used orchestras.

In the tent church there was neither choir nor organ and anyone pitched the tunes. In

the Bell Hill Church there was originally no organ, but a choir was formed to lead the

singing. Before the move to Trinity an American organ was purchased. This was also

used in Trinity until 1874 when the present organ was installed.

In 1879 pressure compelled the trust to inform their excellent organist that the trustees

would be unable to pay a salary in future. The organist did not abate his zeal, but

started the Christmas carol service, and as a result presented the trustees with the

amount of his salary. These continued into the early 1950s. The choir used to go out

and sing with a piano on the back of a dray at Christmas time.

Mr A. H. Reed is not the only person connected with Trinity to have been fond of

walking. When Rev. W. C. Oliver was in the circuit he would walk to Port Chalmers,

preach, walk back, and preach at Trinity.



About fifty years ago the choir used to walk to Port Chalmers having their annual

picnic on the way. They would, however, catch the train home.

The Bible classes were also fond of tramps. They would go to such places as Silver

Peaks, Mosgiel or Waitati for their hikes.

Many different organisations have flourished and disappeared in the history of Trinity.

There was a Debating Society which discussed in 1887 the question, "Is war

consistent with Christianity?"

There was Miss Gilmore's Ladies' Physical Training Class who wore bloomers and

woollen jerseys. Miss West organised the Church Club Swingers. Some of the old

Indian clubs are still around the Trinity building.

Trinity has had a Tennis Club and cricket teams as well as today's indoor bowls. When

the Sunday School went for a picnic in the old style they marched with banners to the

Woodhaugh or Botanical Gardens.

On the first Monday in every month the Trinity Methodist Women's Missionary Union

meets. The ladies with a concern for overseas missions have been meeting at the same

time for sixty years at Trinity. In 1902 a committee for the district was formed and the

Ladies' Auxiliary—the precursor until 1915 of the M.W.M.U.—was born. The

committee consisted of President, Mrs Thomas; Secretary, Miss Nelson; Correspond-

ing Secretary, Miss Hartley; Treasurer, Mrs Rosevear, This was the first such

organisation in New Zealand Methodism.

Without digressing too far into mere lists of names we must note two in particular.

Miss E. Hartley was organist of Trinity for fifty-four years and very rarely took a

holiday. The whole family was associated with the active work of the church, the

eldest Miss Hartley being a Sunday School teacher with artistic talent, but there can be

few who could rival such an outstandingly long time in one position.

The following is a part of a minute taken from the records of the quarterly meeting for

which it was prepared on her death.

"The Quarterly Meeting of the Central Methodist Church and Mission, Dunedin.

places on record its appreciation of the work of the late Miss Elizabeth Hartley.

"For over half a century, she was organist of Trinity Methodist Church, a post

which she graced with distinction and devotion. She never wanted or would take

a holiday but for years with one Sunday or one service off she was at her place at

the organ.

"The wealth of Dunedin's musical talent was enriched by her gifts. She was, for a

number of years, the accompanist of the Choral Society and her judgment as a

critic of good music was valued. She used her talent to the full to honour and



glorify God, preaching His word and publishing the Gospel message through the

medium of music. Her record of service must be unequalled. We shall not see her

like again."

Mr E. R. Rosevear is the other person who must be mentioned. On the Union of

Methodism in 1913 the President of the old United Methodist Conference became the

president of the new church and the president of the Primitive Methodist Church

became vice-president. The second vice-president was Mr Rosevear. His daughter.

Miss D. Rosevear, is an active member of Trinity and Secretary of the Centenary

Committee.

There are some people now associated with Trinity who are living history. Mrs West

is our oldest member, and has been associated with Trinity for most of her ninety-five

years. As a child she attended the Opoho Church which was part of Trinity circuit. It

was ministered to by a Home Missionary, Mr Sands.

Mrs West can remember the Opoho Church being moved to Cargill Road. After this

her family began to attend Trinity. Her daughter. Miss Phyllis West, has been

associated with Trinity all her life.

The present senior circuit steward, Mr S. Lawn, was a circuit steward from 1914 to

1918 and again from 1933 to this time. He has been associated with Trinity in a

variety of offices since the turn of the century. He was three times conductor of the

choir.

Mr Lawn was elected a member of the Trust in 1919 and secretary in 1924. He has

been a representative to conference and minister's steward. Outside the Church he has

been a member of many civic organisations. In 1941 he was elected president of the

Chamber of Commerce in this city, and recently was awarded the M.B.E. for services

to the community.

A third person who must be included is Mr A. H. Reed, C.B.E. Mr Reed has not

always been a member of Trinity but his work among young people is well

remembered. Even this year he delivered a most acceptable children's address at

morning worship.

His generosity to the scholars is continued by the presence of the Alfred and Isobel

Reed Memorial Library. The income from a trust fund in the same name has continued

since 1944 to benefit the school and the Overseas Missions in the name of the school.

Others who have been associated with Trinity for over half a century and whose

names appear in the Jubilee Publication include the Misses Blackwood, Mrs N.

Wilson. Miss O. Restieaux, Miss V. Smith and Miss Lewisham.

If and when Church union comes. Trinity people will be among the best prepared. In

1918 discussions were held at First Church concerning prospects of union. Nineteen-



nineteen saw a meeting with the laymen of St Andrews. Eighteen ninety-six had seen

the first Methodist Union, and the final Union took place in 1913. This latter affected

the circuit because the North East Valley cause was then combined for a few years

with Dundas Street which had been a Primitive Methodist cause.

By the time of the amalgamation the Central Mission and Trinity had been members

of the same denomination for fifty-eight years. Even so, some may remember that the

Mission was a Bible Christian cause, and Trinity a Wesleyan.

The present Ministers and Circuit Stewards:

Revs. E. Heppelthwaite, D. B. Gordon, M.A., Messrs G. F. Pascoe and S. Lawn.



THE FUTURE

We enter our second century facing the peculiar problems and responsibilities of a

central inner city church. The amalgamation with the Central Mission to form the

Central Methodist Church and Mission is surely enabling us to meet these in the best

way possible. Trinity has become the centre for a stable morning congregation and

before long we hope that our Sunday morning will be even more consolidated with a

family church programme providing a place for worship and study for the whole

church family.

It has been decided that some time in the future the evening service will also be held

in Trinity Church. In order that Methodism may have a worthy centre in Dunedin

Trinity Church which has never undergone any major alterations will be renovated

and altered as soon as practicable to facilitate these moves.

To further this end a Centennial Renovation Appeal is being launched during the

celebrations to help provide the necessary finance.

This does not mean that the witness of the Central Mission in the Octagon is being

abandoned. There has been a change of emphasis in mission work in recent years.

Many elderly people are being cared for in our Eventide Homes while our impact on

the community is being made largely through our Teenage Programme amongst young

people in the city. This work which is often in the nature of pre-evangelism is centred

at present in the Octagon Hall and it is planned to locate it in future in the new Social

Service centre and office block which we hope will shortly be erected on the corner of

the Octagon and Stuart Street.

With quiet confidence we face the future, not because of our past, although we thank

God for His servants who laid solid foundations in this province and for those who

have followed in their train, nor because of our present congregation although we are

blessed with a group of dedicated men and women with vision and enterprise, but

because our trust is in God whose Blessed Son, Jesus Christ established the Church

and gave Himself for it and whose Living Spirit ever seeks to lead His people into all

truth.

May we be ever attentive to His voice and obedient to His call following wherever He

leads.

D. B. GORDON,

Superintendent.



CHRONOLOGY

1840. Rev. James Watkin preaches first sermon in Otago at Waikouaiti.

1848. First ship of Dunedin settlement arrives, with Ferens and Monson.

1856. First church at Port Chalmers opened.

1861. Gold in Gabriel's Gully.

1862. Rev. J. Buller visits Dunedin, Rev. I. Harding arrives. Bell Hill Church opened. Cause started in the Tuapeka.

1863. Causes started at Invercargill, Oamaru, Queenstown. Hyde and other gold rush places.

1864. Bell Hill Parsonage finished. Invercargill separated.

1866. Oamaru separated. Mornington Church built.

1867. Stuart Street Parsonage and block bought.

1868. Tuapeka separated. W. Beck entered the ministry.

1869. Building of Trinity Church commenced.

1870. Trinity Church opened. Port Chalmers, Waitati and the Peninsula separated. Stuart Street Parsonage sold.

1871. Peninsula returned to circuit. W. B. Marten and H. C. Gilbert entered the ministry. Balclutha separated.

1876. Castle Street Parsonage bought. Mornington Church built.

1877. Opoho Church built. Lynden Church built.

1878. Mornington separated. J. H. Grey entered ministry.

1879. Milton separated.

1881. Debt reduced £1,200.

1882. Opoho Church closed and moved to Cargill Road. York Place Parsonage built.

1884. Woodhaugh cause started.

1885. Mosgiel cause started.

1888. S. B. Fellows entered the ministry.

1892. Helping Hand Mission started.

1893. Woodhaugh site purchased.

1894. Cargill Road separated with three year subsidy.

1895. Mosgiel transferred to Cargill Road circuit.



1896. First Methodist Union.

1897. Woodhaugh Church built.

1900. Belleknowes Church built.

1901. Thanksgiving Fund raised.

1902. Ladies' Auxiliary formed.

1905. North East Valley Church built. Trinity debt extinguished.

1906. "Amen" sung freely.

1907. St Kilda Church built.

1909. Maori Hill Church built.

1910. Woodhaugh Sunday School built. Halley's comet.

1912. Trinity Jubilee. Bath Street Mission closed. Stuart Street property purchased for Sunday School.

1913. Final Methodist Union. North East Valley transferred to Dunedin North circuit. Stuart Street property leased.

1917. N.E.V. returned to circuit.

1919. Tennyson Street Parsonage purchased.

1921. Mr Marr's claim for damages re Nancy Marr.

1927. Amalgamation with Central Mission considered.

1930. Stuart Street property sold.

1943. Hearing aids installed by Ladies' Guild.

1945. Trinity, Dundas Street and Ravensbourne Societies form Central Circuit. J. A. Zeisler entered ministry.

1954. Trinity amalgamates with Central Mission. Dundas Street and Ravensbourne separated. "Trinity" name changed to Central Church.

1955. Waverley cause commenced. Wells campaign.

1957. Park Street property purchased for student hostel.

1960. Name of "Trinity" restored. Further Park Street section purchased. Tennyson Street Parsonage sold. Kawarau Falls property purchased.

1961. St George's Hall demolished. Choirs robed. St. Philip's Church, Waverley, opened. Teenage programme commenced.

1962. The Centenary of the founding of the first Methodist Church in Dunedin.



TRINITY MINISTERS

Superintendents of the Circuit and other Ministers associated with Trinity

Church:

1862-63. Rev. I. Harding.

1862. Rev. R. L. Vickers (Assoc.).

1864-66. Rev. J. Aldred.

1867-70. Rev. A. R. Fitchett.

1870-73. Rev. A. Reid.

1873-75. Rev. C. W. Rigg.

1876-78. Rev. A. R. Fitchett.

1879. Rev. J. Crump.

1880-81. Rev. E. Best.

1882-84. Rev. J. Berry.

1885-87. Rev. W. Morley, D.D.

1888-90. Rev. W. Baumber.

1891-93. Rev. W. C. Oliver.

1894-98. Rev. J. J. Lewis.

1896. Rev. H. E. Bellhouse (Supply).

1899-1904. Rev. P. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S.

1905-09. Rev. C. H. Laws, B.A.. D.D.

1908. Rev. E. O. Blamires (Supply).

1909-14. Rev. P. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S.

1914-19. Rev. W. A. Hay.

1919-22. Rev. M. A. R. Pratt.

1923-33. Rev. H. E. Bellhouse.

1934-37. Rev. C. H. Olds, B.A.

1938-42. Rev. B. Metson.

1943-47. Rev. W. G. Slade, M.A., D.D.

1948. Rev. E. P. Blamires (Supply).

1949-51. Rev. L. Greenslade.

1952-53. Rev. J. K. Watson, M.C., B.A.

1954-59. Rev R. Dudley, M.A.. D.D., F.R.E.S.

1954. Rev. D. B. Gordon, M.A., (Assoc.).

1955-57. Rev. F. S. Rigg (Assoc.).

1958- Rev. E. Hepplethwaite (Assoc.).

1959. Rev. C. H. Olds, B.A. (Supply).

1960- Rev. D. B. Gordon, M.A.



PRESENT LIST OF OFFICIALS OF CENTRAL

METHODIST CHURCH AND MISSION CIRCUIT

WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED

TRINITY CHURCH.

Ministers; Rev. D. B. Gordon and E. Heppelthwaite.

Circuit Stewards; Messrs S. Lawn, M.B.E., G. P. Pascoe.

Society Stewards; Messrs R. Chahners, R. T. Connor, W. L, Coppux, J. Heslop,

D. A. Hogan, R. H. King. G. Kitchin, C. Pitts, B. H. Reid, C. Ross, I. A.

Skene, V. Tie, E.Turnbull.

Congregational Representatives; Mrs C. Botting, Mrs D. A. Hogan, Mrs W. H.

Masters, Mrs Rose.

Trustees; Messrs A. R. Crosbie, R. T. Connor, A. Dawson, E. M. Davidson, A.

L. Fleury, D. A. Hogan, R. H. King, S. Lawn, M. E. Lloyd, E. B.

Macleod, G. F. Pascoe, C. Pitts, I. A. Skene, H. C. Vince and Dr B. C.

Turnbull

Sacramental Stewards; Miss N. Bate, Miss V. Mason.

Home Mission Secretaries; Miss E. Blackwood, Miss N. Bain.

Overseas Mission Secretaries; Miss R. Blackwood, Miss F. Robson.

Sunday School Superintendent; Miss G. H. Kane.

Women’s Missionary Auxiliary Representative; Miss D. Rosevear.

Ladies' Guild Representative; Miss I. Fergusson.

Local Preachers; Messrs E. T. Cox, E. M. Davidson, H. C. Vince.

Class Leaders; Messrs F. Chadwick, H. C. Vince.

WAVERLEY OFFICIALS

Trustees; Messrs A. R. Crosbie, E. M. Davidson, L. E. M. Grace, A. F. T.

Hughes, E. B. Macleod, D. J. Morgan, W. Swanson, J. G. Walker.

Congregational Representative; Mrs E. B. Macleod.

Society Stewards; Messrs A. R. Crosbie, J. G. Walker.

Sacramental Stewards; Mesdames J. G. Walker and A. F. T. Hughes.

trinity church, 12 noon, sunday june 17 1962 wesley ... historical... · wesley historical society...

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